HollyMatkinHamilton, OH – A married Hamilton High School teacher and volleyball coach was jailed on Tuesday, after she allegedly engaged in a sexual battery of a female student, police said.
Hilary Dattilo, 30, who was playing professional volleyball less than six months ago and had only been teaching since August of 2017, was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, WHIO reported.
Hamilton Police Department (HPD) Sergeant Brian Robinson said that the investigation began after the victim’s mother became suspicious.
“A mother of a student at Hamilton High School was concerned about a possible inappropriate relationship that a staff member was having with her daughter, so she notified the school administrators at Hamilton High School,” Sgt. Robinson said.
According to WCPO, Dattilo sexually abused the underage girl between Nov. 1, 2017, and Nov. 22, 2017. The contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge took place between Oct. 1, 2017, and Dec. 18, 2017.
The alleged encounters did not occur on school property, Sgt. Robinson said.
Dattilo began working as a science teacher for the high school for the 2017-2018 school year. She also coached the junior varsity volleyball team, and was the assistant coach for the varsity team.
Prior to teaching, Dattilo was a professional volleyball player in the National Volleyball League and on the Pro Beach Tour as recently as July of 2017.
The Hamilton City School District has begun proceedings to terminate her employment, according to the Journal-News.
“As a result of an ongoing investigation conducted collaboratively with the Hamilton City Police Department, the Hamilton City School District has placed a teacher at Hamilton High School on administrative leave pending termination proceedings,” the district’s director of communications, Joni Copas, said in a statement. “Simply put, we will not tolerate behavior that places our children in jeopardy.”
Dattilo turned herself in to police, WHIO reported.
According to WLWT, her mother and husband attended her Tuesday arraignment, during which Dattilo pleaded not guilty.
She was taken into custody on $5,000 bond, and was released a short while later.
Dattilo’s pretrial hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.